BioWare, Pandemic acquisition approved

Yesterday evening, Electronic Arts announced that anti-trust regulators have approved the publisher’s US$775 million (£390 million) acquisition of BioWare and Pandemic Studios.

Electronic Arts originally announced last month that it was to purchase VG Holding Corp, the parent company for the two games development studios.

The world’s leading games publisher will pay VG Holding Corp’s shareholders a massive US$620 million (£315 million) in cash, along with another US$155 million (£80 million) in equity to key VG Holding Corp employees under the terms of the deal.

The Federal Trade Commission included the deal as part of a list of ‘early termination’ anti-trust reviews, whereby the review was completed before the end of the 30-day period required under anti-trust law.

Associated Press reports that the deal is expected to be officially completed at some point in January.

Did you think this was a good thing for all parties involved when it was officially announced or have you changed your mind changed since your initial reaction? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.